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triggertrav 2

triggertrav
2

Getting later in the season, the ice is growing and getting harder to get out of the hole. Just curious what everyone does with the block of ice that is now a spear hole. I have pushed it under, but think that it would shy fish away from the decoy. I don't have ice tongs to get the block out, so i usually bust it up and set it on the ice, but this takes time that i would rather be spearing. Also, I am usually spearing out of a portable, so i need to cut a new hole everytime i go out.

So, does anyone put the block under the ice and successfully harvest fish, or does it depend on the water depth? Or do i just continue to take the ice from the hole while i am spearing and put it back in when i leave?

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efgh 0

efgh
0

I would never shove it under the ice, I did 50 years ago and never saw a fish while the other guys around me were getting fish. learned my lesson real quick. Ice blocks should be shoved back in the hole when you leave. 35 years ago my wife hit a ice block with the snowmobile she way riding on Lake Frances, the front of the S.M. raised up quick, the top of the wind shield hit the helmet she was wearing, broke the face sheild and cracked the helmet. It was a brand new helmet, first time she wore it.

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bassNspear 0

bassNspear
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you are never going to want to leave a block of ice on the top of the lake. your not going to want someone to hit the block with a sled or wheeler. Also, place a stick in the whole after you place the ice back in so people know there was a block cut there as well.

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mnmuzzleloader 0

mnmuzzleloader
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I always you a set of tongs, I will cut it with a saw and then split it in 2 and then get them out with the tongs, the thicker the ice the small you will have to cut it up in. If you can find a set of tongs I would go with that you will find them at estate sales or there are some guys manufacturing them today as well.

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Pooh 8

Pooh
8

i use the ice thongs too they are the best piece of equiptmnet i use for spearing, besides the spear and the house itself. my thongs, my old man found on an auction sale for a couple bucks, ive seen them new for 50. they only open up about 14 inches at the points, i consider them a small pair, still looking for a larger pair.

single handed, i can pull out a block of ice cut with an ice saw that is a little more than 3ft long and 2 feet wide, and 12 inches thick. with 4 auger holes one in each corner. not sure if it weights as much as above says but i am in shape if u consider round a shape

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efgh 0

efgh
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You have to remember the block of ice is floating in the water, its weight would be next to nothing if you weighted it floating. When you start pulling it from the hole with ice tongs the water is pushing up on the ice block, the further you pull it out the heaver the block gets. Thats my theory, it probley does;t hold water though.

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spearchucker 0

spearchucker
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A cubic foot of water is equivalent to 7.5 gallons so it is going to weigh 55+ pounds. I go back to the real question; does shoving this block under the ice really influence fish activity?

I would say yes. If you are in 10 or 12 feet of water then not as much as if you are in 5 feet of water. Also it would depend on the thickness of the ice. If you are in 5 feet of water and you shove a 2ft block of ice under it is going to be half way to the bottom and look like a wall blocking your hole. It isn't that much work to take the block out.

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Gordie 0

Gordie
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I have a friend that cuts a hole in the center of the block then drops a chain with a bar on it, so that it turns across the bottom of the hole then he either use his plow mount on his truck or his wheeler to lift it out and he also sets it on a couple pieces of 2x4s so it doesnt freeze down and is easier to push back in the hole when finished spearing that spot. I havent done this because I dont have a wheeler or plow truck but have watched my friend do this and it works pretty slick.

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Ask Bridget Landsverk, of Fosston, when she started volunteering as a firearms safety instructor and there’s a brief pause. She starts to count the years, then remembers: Last year she received a plaque for 10 years of service, which means 2019 marks the beginning of her second decade of instruction.
Now 35 years old, she’s been teaching firearms safety in Winger-Erskine-McIntosh for much of her adult life, a way to give back borne from a friendship struck with retired conservation officer Stuart Bensen.
And it’s a family affair, too, as her father – the person who nurtured her interest in hunting – helps her teach, and her kids often attend the classes she teaches. Her oldest son, in fact, has scored 100 percent on a firearms safety test, though he’s still too young to be certified.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if someday he teaches firearms safety as well,” Landsverk said. “His dream right now at 9 years old is to have his own hunting and fishing show.”
That was never Bridget Landsverk’s dream, though her father took her into the field as soon as she showed interest. She’s hunted deer and bear. And Canada geese are the species of choice when it comes to trips with her husband and sons.
She likes the idea of female students learning from a female instructor – Landsverk figures about half the students in her classes are girls and women – and enjoys teaching kids and then hearing about their successes in the field.
“They see you out in public and recognize you from class and they want to tell you all about their first deer-hunting experience that year – or whatever they hunted,” she said. “There are quite a few kids around here who get a nice deer during their first hunt. I tell them, ‘I’m happy for you, but I hope you don’t have this expectation every year!’”
While the majority of her students attend firearms safety with the intention of going hunting, some simply want to learn about firearms so they feel more comfortable when they’re around. Whatever the case, Landsverk believes anyone – of any age – will benefit from taking a firearms safety course.
Landsverk is among 4,000 volunteer instructors across the state who constitute the backbone of the DNR Enforcement Division’s firearms safety program. The dedication of these volunteers is instrumental to the program when you consider more than 1.3 million students have received firearms safety certification since the program began in 1955. The results of the program have been dramatic, with decreasing numbers of firearms-related hunting incidents since its inception. Firearms safety training is required for anyone born after Dec. 31, 1979 who wants to buy a hunting license.
For more information on firearms safety in Minnesota, including a list of available courses, see mndnr.gov/safety/firearms/index.html (for youths) or mndnr.gov/safety/firearms_isa/index.html (for adults). Note that courses fill up quickly.
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Registration open for 2019 outdoor skills classes
A new “I Can!”program offers participants the chance to learn the outdoor skills necessary to take an overnight canoe camping trip. The overnight adventure trip is one of many summer programs Minnesota state parks and trails has available for beginners of all ages who want to learn to camp, paddle, mountain bike and fish.
Participants on the overnight trip will paddle down the St. Croix River to a riverside campsite, learning canoeing skills along the way. After a night of camping on the river, participants will paddle a few miles downriver to St. Croix State Park where the outdoor adventure will come to an end.
“Our goal is to make it easy for busy families to discover the fun of spending time outdoors together,” said Erika Rivers, director of the Department of Natural Resources Parks and Trails Division. “We provide all the gear, along with friendly instructors who can show you how to use it.”
Registrations for the “I Can Paddle! Canoe Camping” program and other classes are being taken now. Programs start in June and continue through August. They include:
I Can Paddle! Canoe Camping – Learn how to plan for an overnight canoe camping trip. Meals and the use of canoeing and camping equipment are included. Participants must be at least 10 years of age; children under age 18 need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian ($85 for the overnight program; up to two people per canoe).
I Can Camp! – Develop or refine fire starting and camp cooking skills. Sleep on comfortable air mattresses in tents large enough to accommodate two adults and up to three children ($60 for one-night programs or $85 for two-night programs).
I Can Paddle! – Get out on the water for a sea kayaking adventure on Lake Superior ($35 for ages 12-18, $45 for adults) or a guided canoeing or kayaking trip on a Minnesota lake or river (prices vary).
I Can Mountain Bike! – Learn riding techniques and explore mountain bike trails with guides from the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Club ($15 for ages 10-15, $25/adults).
I Can Fish! – Experience the fun of casting into the water and the excitement when there’s a tug on the line ($7/person, children under age 12 are free).
The “I Can!” series also includes the Archery in the Parks programs, which are free. No reservations are needed.
Registration and more information
For more information about the programs—including dates, times, locations, and minimum age requirements—visit mndnr.gov/ican or contact the DNR Information Center at [email protected] or 888-646-6367 (8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday).
To register for an event, visit mndnr.gov/reservations or call 866-857-2757 (8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, except holidays).
The “I Can!” series is made possible with funding from the Parks and Trails Fund, created after voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in November 2008. The Parks and Trails Fund receives 14.25 percent of the three-eighths of one percent sales tax revenue from the Legacy Amendment. Revenue to the Parks and Trails Fund may only be spent to support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance.
The I Can! programs received a Government Innovation Award in 2015. Nearly 18,000 people have participated in these programs since they were first offered in 2010.
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Heavy rain and flooding mean some roads and trails in state forests, state parks, recreation areas, and wildlife management areas will close temporarily, according to the Department of Natural Resources. This is because they are not firm enough to support vehicle traffic without causing damage. The closures could remain in effect until sometime in May, depending on weather conditions.
“These are normal spring closures that happen when roads and trails become wet and fragile,” said Dave Schuller, state land programs supervisor for the DNR’s Forestry Division. “We ask that people use good judgment, obey the closures, and check the DNR website for updates. This is important for personal safety as well as avoiding damage to these roads and trails.”
Road and trail users should pay particular attention to state forest closures. Generally, all roads and trails in a particular forest will be closed, but not always. Those that can handle motor vehicle traffic will remain open but may be restricted by gross vehicle weight. Signs will be posted at entry points and parking lots.
For information on road closures, log on to mndnr.gov/closures. Information on this page is updated on Thursdays by 2 p.m. However, closure signs may be in place before the website is updated.
Road and trail closure information also is available by contacting the DNR Information Center at [email protected], 888-646-6367 or 651-296-6157, (8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday).
For information on roads and trails on county land, contact the county directly.
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The Department of Natural Resources seeks the public’s help in identifying the person or people responsible for dumping the bodies of eight white-tailed deer near the Zumbro River in Wabasha County.
A state conservation officer received a call Monday, March 18, reporting the carcasses had been dumped sometime the night before on County Road 81 near the Zumbro River just outside of Kellogg. At least seven of the animals were bucks; all had their antlers or their antlers and skull plates removed.
“At the very least, this is a waste of Minnesota’s precious natural resources,” said Greg Salo, assistant director of the DNR Enforcement Division. “We urge anyone with information related to this ongoing investigation to call the Turn in Poachers hotline.”
The TIP hotline is 800-652-9093. All of the deer have been collected and will be tested for disease.
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Well “sadly”. Yes I just said that. Winter is coming to an end and gross summer is near. The hot temps, Humidity, mosquitoes, crazy busy boat landings, drunk boaters. The worst time of the year is near. Life is so blah now. No snowmobiling, no ice fishing, ( I wouldn’t be done for awhile yet but mom won’t let me go anymore😳), I mean really!? I could still drive my truck out What’s more dangerous late ice or being out on first ice on 2”-4”? It’s just water, mud and by far my least favorite time of year. This winter just went by way way to fast! But it is what it is. Can’t believe it, but so long winter 18-19😭🙋‍♂️. In summary probably one of the top ice seasons for me! It’ll make me feel better if I can share some pics with y’all. Enjoy! This is only a VERY few select pics from the winter. Biggest walleye- 21” (caught 3 total all caught while fishing for crappies or gills). Biggest gill- 9-3/4”. Biggest crappie- 13”. Total ice outings 29. (I wanted one more to reach 30). 26 angling outings, 3 dark house spearing outings.

I am new to catfishing, and live near the stretch of the Mississippi river above the Ford lock and dam to the Marshall Ave. bridge. I have walked along the shore, and found some spots I think would hold some catfish. My only concern is how shallow the river is here. I will be trying these spots within the next two weeks. I am curious if anyone has had success in this section, or will I be wasting my time?

I just wrote to those five people. I am amazed at how I live in the South Haven area and yet every time I learn about these meetings after they happen. And they don’t understand why we feel they want us to stay off “their lake”. Need to be more open and up front publicly about these meetings.
As I have stated before in another forum, I have not fished Sylvia since this was implemented. Also I have not bought bait or boat gas in South Haven the last 2 years. I will spend my money where it is welcomed. I have been cleaning my boat at landings for years, plus power washing it when I get home. I am sure many good anglers/boaters do as well and for them to make us go through this inspection, which is out of the way and not even open 24 hours is rediculous. I am all for stopping the spread of AIS, but there needs to be better ways of doing a it than keeping the lake from all users.
We need everyone to get involved in this even if you don’t live near these lakes. AIS is affecting us all but we need everyone to speak up about how it will be dealt with, or more lakes will be “closed” to the public with this inspection program.